Lowelll's Most Epic Deli Railway Sandwiches

Lowell is heading back home to the Isle of Wight. He has a long train journey ahead of him so I’m making him these sandwiches. You have to plan ahead to do this and get into the supermarket the moment it opens. Ideally you want to make these while he’s still sleeping. The gorgeous Dan Stephens is on Radio 3’s Private Passions at 10.00 this morning. Lowell waking up thinking of private passions is no bad thing! 

1 cross cut batard or a Parisienne (A foot long flattish loaf basically)

1 yellow pepper

4 slices Mortadella

4 slices salami Milano

4 slices spicy salami ( the word Picante is a good sign)

4 slices Gouda , Emmental or Jarlsberg

Lettuce leaves

2 Tbsp grated parmesan

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

½ tsp rock salt

50ml olive oil

½ clove garlic crushed

Tomato chutney if you have some 

This is the most epic sandwich, but don’t forget you’re leaving him with an impression. Think of him smiling and saying no thank you when the buffet trolley comes round. Just thinking of him smiling makes this worth it. That and knowing you’ve hidden a pair of his boxer shorts to remember him by.

Make friends with the nice folk at the Deli Counter at the supermarket as you only need a few slices of each meat. One mild, one fatty, one spicy. Plus some cheese that won’t take over.

The faff is roasting the pepper. It goes under the grill until the skin blisters. Turn it and carry on until it looks burned all over. Put in a plastic bag to let it steam for a few minutes. This will make it easy to rub the skin off. Who knew Dan Stephens' tastes included Allegri, Byrd, Mozart and Faure. You plan to tell Lowell about this but in the excitement, you completely forget. He's unbelievably adorable when he's just woken up. Luckily he's easily distracted by coffee and toast & Marmite.

When you've skinned the pepper, make the dressing. Mix the vinegar, parmesan garlic, oil & salt.

Halve your bread horizontally and drizzle the dressing generously on both sides.

Layer on the meat and cheese and top with the peppers, and finally a little tomato chutney if you have it.  I'd slice the bread into 3 sandwiches as he has a long journey ahead of him. Wrap really well with cling film. Give him loads of paper napkins as this can be messy if it unravels. A small box of breath mints will show him how much you think of him. He’s not a city boy so a piece of fruit will be usual for him. When you get to the station a bottle of water (I always go for Evian) and a magazine will be a real treat. You want him to come back! Wish him well. Cry as the train pulls away. It’s okay.